The Red Bulls produced a good defensive effort to hold Real to a stalemate at Red Bull Arena in what will surely be a precursor to a major match when the play-offs commence.

Ballouchy, who was solid in midfield alongside Rafael Marquez and Tony Tchani, said it was pleasing to play well against a team as strong as Salt Lake.

“When we play the big games, like Real Salt Lake, the champs, and they play against us, we want to show that side,” Ballouchy told MLSsoccer.com. “I like to see that from us, that we were physical and not afraid to get stuck-in. That’s what you want to see, that we don’t back down at all.”